Packer free to play England’s World Cup opener

After receiving a one-game suspension for a red card against Spain on Saturday, Flanker Marlie Packer will not miss England’s home Women’s Rugby World Cup debut.

In the Red Roses’ 1997-7 World Cup warm-up game against Leicester, the 35-year-old was dismissed for a clumsy clearout that caught full-back Claudia Pena’s leg.

Before England’s World Cup opener against the United States in Sunderland on August 22, Packer is forced to miss their final warm-up game against France on Saturday due to the ban.

Packer’s first cap success since being replaced by Zoe Aldcroft in January was with Spain.

She is one of head coach John Mitchell’s vice-captains and led the Red Roses to two Six Nations Grand Slam victories in 2023 and 2024.

Mitchell’s side have won 26 games and are favorites to win the 2022 World Cup, their last defeat coming in a final game against New Zealand.

Packer, who won England’s World Cup title in 2014, is still facing difficult opponents to start the first round of the competition.